About
“I had this idea during lockdown to build a safe place for children to embrace their creative curiosity. A place that encouraged self-expression through accessible and playful visual art techniques. I brought this idea to life in October 2022, and since then have been delighted to work within schools and organisations offering a nurturing environment for children to process & express themselves through art. Creative Hangouts has since worked with over 500 children (and counting) to build their confidence and sense of individuality through art making processes”
- Kayleigh Sarah McGuinness, Founder & Artist
The Team
Kayleigh McGuinness, Founder of Creative Hangouts & Contemporary Artist
BA Hons (Fine Art) from Glasgow School of Art, 2017.
Kayleigh has lead thousands of creative workshops for people of all ages and abilities. She has won multiple awards from The Eaton Fund, Glasgow Connected Arts Network and Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. Kayleigh sold over 200 original paintings during lockdown, ran her own gallery and has curated multiple art exhibitions as well as her own solo shows. Kayleigh and has undertaken artist residencies overseas and continues to develop new sculptural installations for projects nationwide. Kayleigh is incredibly passionate about providing visual arts education to children and hopes to achieve this across the country through Creative Hangouts.
Teri Bartolo, Creative Coordinator & Jeweller
Diploma of Jewellery, Melbourne Polytechnic 2019, BA (Fine Arts), RMIT University 2017
Teri has an impressive arts education having also attended Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. She has lead multiple casting workshops and creates stunning pieces of jewellery inspired by her love of nature and the sea. Teri has sold her bespoke pieces in markets across Melbourne and Glasgow and also works as the Operations Manager for Glasgow Independent Studios. Teri is a key contributor to the team and has been working with Creative Hangouts since Feb 2022. You can purchase and find Teri’s work through her website below.
Jasmine Main, Assisting Artist & Contemporary Artist
NC Art and Digital Media, Glasgow Kelvin College, 2020, BA Hons (Acting), Motherwell College.
Jasmine was nominated for a BAFTA New Talent award in 2014.
Jasmine is a visual artist/ actor and facilitator. Jasmine has worked in communities all over Glasgow and Ayrshire facilitating drama and performance workshops, and as a coordinator of programmes for multiple arts charities. Her own visual arts practice mostly involves large-scale abstract canvas work which she has sold nationwide. Jasmine is incredibly passionate about bringing the arts and opportunities to young people and how transformative expression can be to our communities. You can purchase and find Jasmines work through her website below.
Chantelle Smith, Assisting Artist & University Student, BA Hons (Science), Glasgow Caledonian University, since 2023
Chantelle is a student Occupational Therapist and lifelong art lover who has been continually developing her artistic skills through drawing and painting. In-between studying, she enjoys creating art that is inspired by nature, life experiences and exploring different techniques and mediums. Chantelle especially loves to paint people's pets. She passionately believes that engaging in a creative activity can be incredibly beneficial to young people in terms of development and confidence. She has been working with Creative Hangouts since February 2023 and is passionate about children of all abilities having the opportunity to express themselves and create identity through art that is imaginative and playful.
“I enjoy working with Creative Hangouts because it’s a fun, imaginative and safe environment that allows young people to explore their inner creative. I love working with an amazing team of people passionate about art, creativity and genuinely thrive on seeing young people enjoy the creative process.”
Elvey Stedman, Assisting Artist & Contemporary Artist.
BA Hons (Fine Art), Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, 2021.
Elvey Anna Stedman is a Sculptor and Printmaker based in Glasgow. She was recently awarded the prestigious RSA New Contemporary Award in 2023. Elvey centralises the way she makes around an appreciation for fragility and impermanence. Since working with Creative Hangouts, she has been inspired by the authenticity of the work that the children continue to produce. She believes Creative Hangouts is instrumental to the encouragement of young minds throughout Glasgow and she is thrilled to be a part of the organisation.
Olivia Johnstone, Volunteering Artist & Student, Knightswood Secondary School, S5
Olivia is an artist, still in school, who volunteers for Creative Hangouts. Currently, she focuses on portraiture and illustration and strives to attend art school in order to improve her skills enough to one day illustrate for a living.
"When I first started volunteering with Creative Hangouts it was to enhance my chances at getting into art school, however it didn't take me long to grow attached to the community. I've loved my time so far, meeting the lovely staff and seeing the kids develop their art skills."